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We live in difficult times, but nothing like the thirties when nobody in Birkenhead had anything and there was no welfare state (safety net) nor free health service to fall back on back then. But, as far as I know, despite those hard times, and national means-testing, there was nobody living in tents in Birkenhead park.

Just as a matter of fact, Cameron told Parliament yesterday that the annual cost of housing benefit is more than £23billion. I don't believe that when Beveridge wrote his report into social living conditions in the UK, back in 1942, which led to the welfare state being introduced, that he ever envisaged that one day the country would be burdoned with that annual cost in free housing alone. I don't believe either that his intentions were to provide free housing for life for a huge percentage of the population, but that's what has come about.

I don't think anybody has the answer to the current economic crises either, which has seen the country in debt, to in excess of more than a trillion pounds. But rioting and trashing up our own communities won't solve any of it.

I'm no fan of any of the three major parties, especially Cameron's lot, but when your rocket ship is heading for a black-hole in deep space and certain armageddon, continuing on course for that black hole would be the captaincy of a mad-man.

It's easier to stay on benefit these days cuz your better off on it. I'm a single parent working full time but those living around me on the dole seem to have holidays, houses fit for kings I struggle every single wk and do wonder what am I doing! They have no worries about rent rises ect mines going up £5 a wk in April but the dole pays there's. I believe everybody should work for money even dole whether its litter picking painting anything at all. Not just sitting around chatting or going for sun beds!

If times are so hard then why is Liverpool packed with shoppers Saturday day time and the pubs packed with people Saturday evening?

I keep hearing that people claim times are hard, and for some I'm sure that's true, but maybe they're just spending more of their disposable income than we did in the 70s and 80s?

There was a recent story in the News about food waste, this never used to happen. And we didn't have the choice of shopping and value that we do now. You certainly couldn't get a tin of beans for whatever the equivalent of 9p was back then.

I bought a kettle for work last week - it was a fiver. Less than an hour of an average wage. Years ago something as simple as a kettle was a significant purchase. I remember years ago getting a Morphy Richards one for something like £20, which was easily a day's wage.

Car ownership is no longer a luxury any more, neither is a big telly and a full Sky or cable package, same with nightly takeaways.

The problem is many people have got so used to luxuries, for them they've become essentials. Saving for a rainy day? Forget it. People need to step back and take a look at the consumerism of their lives.

We live in difficult times, but nothing like the thirties when nobody in Birkenhead had anything and there was no welfare state (safety net) nor free health service to fall back on back then. But, as far as I know, despite those hard times, and national means-testing, there was nobody living in tents in Birkenhead park.

Just as a matter of fact, Cameron told Parliament yesterday that the annual cost of housing benefit is more than £23billion. I don't believe that when Beveridge wrote his report into social living conditions in the UK, back in 1942, which led to the welfare state being introduced, that he ever envisaged that one day the country would be burdoned with that annual cost in free housing alone. I don't believe either that his intentions were to provide free housing for life for a huge percentage of the population, but that's what has come about.

I don't think anybody has the answer to the current economic crises either, which has seen the country in debt, to in excess of more than a trillion pounds. But rioting and trashing up our own communities won't solve any of it.

I'm no fan of any of the three major parties, especially Cameron's lot, but when your rocket ship is heading for a black-hole in deep space and certain armageddon, continuing on course for that black hole would be the captaincy of a mad-man.

Whatever your personal problems are, I wish you well.

I dont have any personal problems. Also I do not get free housing.

And the tent statement i made, was not something i was saying had happened before, but the way this govenment are going, it wont be long.

It's easier to stay on benefit these days cuz your better off on it. I'm a single parent working full time but those living around me on the dole seem to have holidays, houses fit for kings I struggle every single wk and do wonder what am I doing! They have no worries about rent rises ect mines going up £5 a wk in April but the dole pays there's. I believe everybody should work for money even dole whether its litter picking painting anything at all. Not just sitting around chatting or going for sun beds!

Maybe so pinky but those on the dole with luxury houses are the mugs who are racking up a lifetime of debt so I wouldn't worry about it.

If times are so hard then why is Liverpool packed with shoppers Saturday day time and the pubs packed with people Saturday evening?

I keep hearing that people claim times are hard, and for some I'm sure that's true, but maybe they're just spending more of their disposable income than we did in the 70s and 80s?

There was a recent story in the News about food waste, this never used to happen. And we didn't have the choice of shopping and value that we do now. You certainly couldn't get a tin of beans for whatever the equivalent of 9p was back then.

I bought a kettle for work last week - it was a fiver. Less than an hour of an average wage. Years ago something as simple as a kettle was a significant purchase. I remember years ago getting a Morphy Richards one for something like £20, which was easily a day's wage.

Car ownership is no longer a luxury any more, neither is a big telly and a full Sky or cable package, same with nightly takeaways.

The problem is many people have got so used to luxuries, for them they've become essentials. Saving for a rainy day? Forget it. People need to step back and take a look at the consumerism of their lives.

I have a strong suspicion that all the people who are saying the govenment are great and do a good job and there are no problems, are the people who have a stable job and earn enough money to live Comfortable.

It always seems to be these people who are saying stop all benefits make the people on dole work for there dole, god help people if you where in power, you would have people who do not have a job livng down back alleys like rats.

Not everyone who does not have a job, does not want one.

I dont claim state handouts, but sometimes i wish i did, as i would be much better off.

As you can see, it peaked at 11.3% in May 1986. It's currently around 7.7%

As someone who was out of work in the 80s I can say that things were without a doubt far worse back then. This itself was a tea party compared to when my mum was a child in Wallasey in the 30s and kids literally went starving and without shoes.

I have a strong suspicion that all the people who are saying the govenment are great and do a good job and there are no problems, are the people who have a stable job and earn enough money to live Comfortable.

It always seems to be these people who are saying stop all benefits make the people on dole work for there dole, god help people if you where in power, you would have people who do not have a job livng down back alleys like rats.

Not everyone who does not have a job, does not want one.

I dont claim state handouts, but sometimes i wish i did, as i would be much better off.

Erm, might i add i'm not on the governments side, they are all a bunch of idiots to put it politely.

None of the major parties represent the majority of people in this country, the once representative Labour party has been watered down and is not much better than the Tories, however we have in place at the moment one of the most vindictive insidious governments since Thatcher,sadly they thrive because most people have more interest in the x factor or football or are worshipping some nonity celebrity, wake up people this bunch of public schoolboys will see us all in the gutter,start seeking a better life for us through the ballot box at the next election.

Don't know about Birkenhead Park, but there was certainly a tent city in Leasowe/Moreton along with many other types of cheap housing. I agree with you. Day by day the UK is getting nearer to being a third world country. We will know we have arrived when immigrants stop coming here.